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Dealership story

Discussion in 'Vintage (thru 365 GTC4)' started by Llenroc, Jan 13, 2011.

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  1. Llenroc

    Llenroc F1 Veteran
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    Vern
    #1 Llenroc, Jan 13, 2011
    Last edited: Jan 13, 2011
    First allow my apology for posting this question in this section it probably doesn't belong here but most of you are longtime Ferrari history fans and I thought you could be of help as opposed to the other sections.
    A little background, I always search out the background/history of the Ferraris I have acquired. The car is a '92 512TR original owner car complete docs etc.. When I was buying the car an interesting story came up. The dealership the car came from was Ferrari of Newport in Rhode Island the owner of the dealership was Tom Fair. Appearently Ferrari wanted Mr. Fair to give up the dealership so the franchize could moved closer to the Boston area. Part of the buy out payment to Mr. Fair was cars, the 512 I own was part of the deal. My car was sold to its first owner in Mar. '93 by Tom Fair.
    Anyway the questions.
    1) Was this something Ferrari was doing to rearrange the dealer network at that time?
    2) Did Ferrari, at this time, just send cars to dealers, ie; you got what they sent you?
    reason for the question is mine is black over red w/red dash, not a color a US dealer would probably order or a US customer for that matter.
    3) Does anyone know Tom Fair or could add anymore to this story?, just asking to preserve any history on this car. Thanks in advance for any help.
     
  2. Terra

    Terra F1 Rookie
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    #2 Terra, Jan 13, 2011
    Tom Fair
    GSM
    Hilltop Motors
    P.O. Box 1355
    Newport, RI 02840
    Work (401) 481-1600
    Fax (401) 619-2897
     
  3. Jeff Kennedy

    Jeff Kennedy F1 Veteran
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    #3 Jeff Kennedy, Jan 13, 2011
    Yes, FNA did do some realignment of dealerships and ownership in about that time period. Hollywood Sports Cars was such a victim of FNA heavy handedness in this regard.

    Yes, Ferrari has been know to foist upon dealers cars that were different from the spec they had ordered. Alternatively there were also times that "extra" cars beyond standard allocation that were offered to dealers with non-standard spcs.

    Jeff
     
  4. Llenroc

    Llenroc F1 Veteran
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    #4 Llenroc, Jan 14, 2011
    Thanks for the help
     
  5. flaviaman

    flaviaman Formula Junior

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    Gregg
    #5 flaviaman, Jan 14, 2011
    I worked for a dealer during the early 90's (along with the 70's and 80's...) sometime around 93 or 94 FNA whacked a significant number of dealers for a variety of reasons - I can still remember my boss breathing a sigh of relief when his franchise agreement was renewed...

    Typically we received what we ordered, occasionally mistakes were made and getting those sorted out was a Royal Pain, I remember a 456 arriving with the wrong interior - FNA / SpA made good on it (admittedly for a very long time and very good client who maintained a relationship directly with the factory).

    And yes we were offered extra cars from time to time, taking these usually earned "brownie points" with FNA, turning down inventory is always a bad thing to do. I can remember being offered an extra F40 towards the end of the production run, though it's hard to believe now I think that car sat on the showroom floor for a year or two....
     
  6. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    #6 BigTex, Jan 14, 2011
    288GTO sat here for a long time, although it is now in the personal collection of the Owner.

    I kept thinking:

    "Man, $78K that's a LOT of money but it's such a fine machine!!", gazing at the engine placement and the rear pumpkin of the racing tranmission......

    Coulda, woulda, shoulda......(of course, there was no way..)

    I think if you are going red on interior, go all the way!

    Sounds like a nice car!

    Parked next to the 355C???
     
  7. BoxerCrazy

    BoxerCrazy Formula Junior

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    Douglas A Hunt
    #7 BoxerCrazy, Jan 14, 2011

    I couldnt stare at a 288GTO for a long time without wanting to make it mine!!!!


    doug
     
  8. Llenroc

    Llenroc F1 Veteran
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    #8 Llenroc, Jan 14, 2011
     
  9. Llenroc

    Llenroc F1 Veteran
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    #9 Llenroc, Jan 14, 2011
    You didn't say what happened to the 456? What color was the int.?
     
  10. Prancing 12

    Prancing 12 F1 Rookie
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    #10 Prancing 12, Jan 14, 2011
    Carter in Vancouver?
     
  11. Llenroc

    Llenroc F1 Veteran
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    #11 Llenroc, Jan 15, 2011
    Thanks again for the help on my questions
     

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